The Federal Government has announced a new policy abolishing the use of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in Nigerian schools, declaring English as the only language of teaching from early childhood to tertiary education.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the announcement on Wednesday during the Language in Education International Conference 2025, organised by the British Council in Abuja.
The two-day event, themed “Language, Education and Inclusion: Empowering Every Learner,” brought together educators, policymakers, and language experts from Africa, South Asia, and the UK to discuss strategies for improving learning outcomes through language.
Dr. Alausa explained that while indigenous languages remain vital for cultural preservation, English provides a more effective and globally relevant medium for learning.
“The English language should be used to teach students at all levels,” he said. “The use of mother tongues has contributed to poor performance in national exams. Hence, the national policy on language has been cancelled.”
He described English as a “unifying tool” for Nigeria’s diverse society, citing research indicating that students taught primarily in English perform better in examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB.
According to the Minister, the new directive represents a shift from emotional attachment to local language identity toward an evidence-based educational approach.
Meanwhile, the British Council reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive and equitable learning across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Julian Parry, Director of English Programmes for the region, noted that “language can be a bridge to inclusion, identity, and opportunity.”
Also speaking, Chikodi Onyemerela, the British Council’s Director of Programmes in Nigeria, highlighted the Pan-Ethnic Classrooms Programme—launched in 2015—to help teachers implement inclusive and language-responsive teaching practices.